Image: UVMStrong - featuring the UVM Bookstore staff!
Welcome back to the weekly COVID-19 resources bulletin for staff, created by the Staff Council office. Each week, we feature new resources (or ones new to us) that may help staff and their loved ones.
For a full list of all the resources we've featured so far, check out this index (PDF), organized by topic, which we update every week. (If you've opened a prior version before, you may need to refresh your browser after clicking the link to get the latest version, dated 4/24). It includes not just resources that can help us, but also ways we can help others.
Please feel welcome to submit resource suggestions to us at staff.council@uvm.edu.
We're in this together!
- UVM Staff Council Office
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As ever, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) maintains a valuable hub of information related to COVID-19. It includes all the relevant UVM communications and policies, and links to a number of excellent external sources of information.
Additionally, Human Resource Services hosts a variety of helpful resources, including:
They also invite you to contact Labor and Employee Relations directly with questions at uvmler@uvm.edu.
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In last week's resources newsletter, the UVM Staff Council shared a link (available on an ongoing basis - linked button is below this article) for you to anonymously share your thoughts about how you're doing during the pandemic. Since then, we've heard from 48 staff members.
The good news is that most respondents said they're faring pretty well. So far, the overall average rating of how telecommuting is going (from 1-5, with 1 being terrible and 5 being great) is 3.89. A warm thank you to all those supporting departments who have helped this sudden transition go as smoothly as possible!
Some of you asked specific questions, and we'll answer what we can in the Q&A below. Others brought up issues, struggles, and questions which Staff Council Leadership will carefully look into and, where applicable, take to upcoming leadership meetings with administration. We'll share any updates in this weekly newsletter.
Q&A
Q: Is there is a list of delivery grocery options?
A: Yes - below we've listed some resources. Keep in mind that the situation can change rapidly and these lists may not be updated regularly, so the best thing you can do is to call your local grocery store or check out their website and social media to see what they are currently offering. That being said, here are a bunch of lists we know of:
Q: Is ordering take-out/delivery safe?
A: VTDigger addressed this concern in some detail, and the consensus is that no evidence has been detected of COVID-19 transmission through food. With regards to packaging, the FDA has a detailed Q&A which states that "currently there is no evidence of food, food containers, or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19. [But} like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects. [...] If you are concerned about contamination of food or food packaging, wash your hands after handling food packaging, after removing food from the packaging, before you prepare food for eating and before you eat. Consumers can follow CDC guidelines on frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces."
Q: Are there any resources for those who have no internet, or very slow internet?
A: Depending on what internet service provider you have, there are many possibilities. This page details them all, but here are some highlights:
- Burlington Telecom is offering free 25 Mbps symmetrical Internet access, a WiFi device and installation to any family with a serviceable address (normal installation) and with school-aged children who do not have home Internet to promote and support remote learning, as long as schools are conducting remote learning associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
- Beginning March 16th, Charter has been offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. The installation fees will be waived for new student households.
- Comcast paused their data plans for 60 days beginning March 13, 2020, giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
- Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country are now available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.
- For those with a car, you can check out this comprehensive list of locations in VT with free internet - just drive there, park, and use it from your car.
Q: Are there suggestions for how to create a stand-up desk while working from home?
A: There are many creative ideas online for making a DIY standing desk, like stacking a coffee table on top of your table or desk, using a dresser, or raising your existing desk by putting sturdy items of equal height under each leg. The Mayo Clinic's website includes a helpful illustration of what your setup should look like, angle-wise. The Ergonomics Health Association has a very detailed set of guidelines for making sure your setup is ergonomically healthy.
Q: Is there a way to help from home?
A: Yes - UVM Hillel has put together an excellent webpage detailing ways to volunteer remotely. These include making masks, being a Red Cross Digital Volunteer or a UN Online Volunteer, helping with the RAINN hotline, fostering a pet, translating TedTalks, or even volunteering with "Be My Eyes" - which uses a free app to connect blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers for visual assistance through a live video call.
Q: What are some ways to reduce my stress/anxiety?
A: There are several resources available through UVM that can help:
- InvestEAP has a wealth of great resources on their special COVID-19 webpage, including toolkits, articles, and videos, and you can book a tele-counseling session for free. You can also call their support hotline, which is open 24/7, at (866) 660-9533.
- UVM Mindfulness has a lot of great audio lessons and meditations which are well worth diving into - and they come in many different lengths, including 3-minutes, so you can just take a moment in your busy day to breathe.
The stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic is shared worldwide, so there are many external resources that can help. Here are just a few:
Q: Can I have more information on how to access Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL)?
A: UVM maintains a great informational page about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) including Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL). Also, in early April, Staff Council held a Q&A with Jes Kraus of HRDMA during the monthly meeting. You can watch the Q&A or read the draft meeting minutes about it on the Staff Council website. And you should not hesitate to reach out to HR with any questions - just send an email to HRSinfo@uvm.edu.
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=== WORKSHOP OPEN TO UVM STAFF & FACULTY ===
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives in ways that have forced us to drastically reimagine many of the structures and patterns that guide our daily lives and relationships with the world. In the midst of all this adaptation, both at work and at home, there also comes loss. Research shows that creating opportunities to acknowledge such loss and its impact upon our lives enables us to more effectively engage what we are experiencing, as well as create space for new possibilities.
This small group workshop offers space to reflect upon one’s experiences surrounding COVID-19 and identify resources and ways for processing grief that may be particularly helpful at this time. Facilitated by Laura Engelken (Interfaith Center) & Christa Hagan-Howe (PD&T).
TWO OPTIONS:
- Thursday Apr 30, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Monday May 4, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Please register through PeopleSoft Human Resources; Course Code COM057.
The 90 minute workshop will be conducted on Microsoft Teams and participants will be invited to the session upon successful registration.
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The Office of Audit, Compliance, and Privacy Services sent out a recent communication about privacy risks and best practices with video conferencing. It included this handy list of tips:
- Do not make meetings or classrooms public. Require a meeting password or use the waiting room feature and control the admittance of guests.
- Do not share a link to a teleconference or classroom on an unrestricted publicly available social media post. Provide the link directly to specific people.
- Manage screensharing options. Set screensharing to "Host Only."
- Ensure users are using the updated version of remote access/meeting applications.
- Monitor attendees and if there is someone on that you do not recognize, end the session and schedule a new one.
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Join UVM's Campus Recreation on Sunday, May 3 for a day of free yoga! This event is happening to celebrate their new 200-HR Yoga Teacher Training graduates. It'll take place from 10:00 - 4:30 on Zoom.
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Here is some more food-related information that you may find helpful (see more on the PDF index of all resources, which we update weekly):
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The New York Times talked with healthcare workers about solving the problem of fogged glasses. Here are some of the most easy solutions on their list:
- Mold your mask to your face as closely as possible. Medical masks have built-in, bendable metal strips that you can mold to the bridge of your nose. You can add pipe cleaners to the top of a homemade fabric mask to get the same effect.
- Tighten the mask. Adjust the ties or the ear loops so the mask fits snugly against your face. If you feel the air going in or out around the mask, tighten the ties.
- Tape your mask. Use white athletic or medical tape or even an adhesive bandage to seal the top of the mask around the bridge of your nose.
- Pull up your mask. Use the weight of your glasses to block the air. Pull the mask up over the bridge of the nose as high as you can (make sure it’s still under your chin too) and let your glasses rest on top of the mask.
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Vermont Family Services provides support with educational, financial, and emotional concerns while caring for children in a kinship relationship (grandchildren, nieces, nephews, children of close friends or family). Please call Vermont Kin As Parents at (802) 871-5104.
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The Community of Vermont Elders, or COVE, is holding meetings every other Wednesday to discuss the latest information about navigating the COVID-19 crisis, including scams, fraud, and general safety. Ask questions and learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones during this public health crisis. All the meeting details are on their site.
Need help getting connected?
Email them at: LauraB@vermontelders.org or Marichel@vermontelders.org
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Vermont Health Connect has extended its enrollment period for health insurance to May 15th.
Eligibility:
- You must be currently uninsured.
- If you already on a Vermont Health Connect plan, you are not eligible to use this Special Enrollment Period to change plans.
Verification:
- You can self-attest that your are currently uninsured (that means you do not need a document showing you are uninsured).
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The Buy Nothing Project works in a very simple way - you can post something you have that you don't need (a blender? diapers? masks? construction paper?) OR you can ask for something you do need. It's one easy way to connect the individual resources and needs of local community members. Here are links to the VT chapters:
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- Burlington's Fletcher Free Library has a wealth of free online events which you should check out. They include a "home safari" with the Cincinnati Zoo, a virtual visit to New England Aquarium, Quarantime with Science Mom and Math Dad, lunchtime doodling, poetry and writing classes, ongoing ELL (English Language Learner) classes, author readings, a lecture on positive psychology and happiness, and so much more than can be summed up here.
- Rutland Free Library is now offering curbside pickup of materials for loan. Pickup time is noon-2 PM M-F or by appointment. Books, DVDs and audiobooks on CD are all available.
- Burlington Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront's annual Kids Day has been moved online - be sure to check it out and attend on May 9th from 10:00 - 3:00.
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Each week we featured a number of organizations seeking help or donations right now. You can also check out the index of all the organizations we've featured, plus all the resources we've featured in this PDF which we update weekly.
Here are some more:
- UVM Health has a webpage up now detailing exactly what kinds of donations are needed of PPE and how to donate them. They're also accepting homemade masks, which must be made according to their specifications - use the first design listed on the CDC's website. Tightly woven cotton and polypropylene materials are preferred.
Donations are being collected through the Given Building, Mon-Fri 4-6PM and Sat 12-4PM. Check out maps and details or email vtcovid19@gmail.com for more questions.
- Frontline Foods - Larner College of Medicine is helping to organize donations from individuals and restaurants to help feed front-line health care workers. Read more about Larner College of Medicine students Gia Eapen ’22 and Sylvia Lane ’22 who are now in charge of marketing for Frontline Foods’ Vermont chapter.
- UVM Hillel has put together a webpage detailing ways to volunteer remotely. These include making masks, being a Red Cross Digital Volunteer or a UN Online Volunteer, helping with the RAINN hotline, fostering a pet, translating TedTalks, or even volunteering with "Be My Eyes" - which uses a free app to connect blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers for visual assistance through a live video call.
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If you know of new or additional campus or community resources you'd like us to feature, please check our index of resources (PDF) to see if we've already featured it, and if not, send the information to us at staff.council@uvm.edu. And as ever, please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We want to hear from you!
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